Te Pakiwaitara - The Story.
Kia ora.
Ko Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Porou me Tūhoe ōku Iwi
Ko Kikopiri tōku hapū
Ko Kikopiri tōku marae
Nō Taitoko, Horowhenua ahau
Ko 'Aotearoa apparel' tōku pakihi
Kō Mātini tōku ingoa.
Ngā mihi nui,
A brief intro...
Ngāti Raukawa of the South, Ngāti Porou & Tūhoe are my tribal affiliations.
My subtribe and marae is Kikopiri in Ōhau, south of Levin, my small business is 'Aotearoa apparel and is Mātini is my name.
Ngā mihi.
About "Aotearoa apparel.'
Aotearoa Apparel was born from a deep pride in Māori heritage and a vision to celebrate our culture through contemporary fashion. As an urban Māori, I've walked between two worlds—honoring the traditions of my tūpuna/ancestors while navigating modern life. This journey inspired me to create something meaningful: kākahu/clothing that empowers our people and shares the beauty of Māori culture with the world.
Aotearoa apparel is a Māori clothing label that sells high quality clothing with original, eye-catching Māori themed designs.
The journey began 10 years ago. I was studying graphic design and came up with the idea to do a design on a t shirt. This design was Ngāti by Nature. I went to my local print store and paid for a screen print template and 10 black prints on white tees. They sold very quickly. One of my classmates suggested I do white prints on black tees. Again, they sold very quickly. It was at this point I was inspired to start a clothing label focussing on Māori. The reason for this is I’m proud of my Māori heritage and saw the label as a great way to promote Māori culture and make a legitimate income at the same time. A profitable hobby/side hustle. I came up with 3 more Māori designs and printed them on tees and hoodies of various colours and sizes. I sold them to friends. whānau and at local markets. From there I started a Facebook page and named the business ‘Aotearoa apparel’
Since then, Aotearoa apparel has expanded my product range, regularly attended markets, expos, Fairs and Māori oriented events such as Waitangi Day, Matariki events, Te wiki o te reo festivities and more.
Now Aotearoa apparel has stepped into the world of online selling. A Māori owned & operated E Commerce store that is open to the globe.
As well as doing Screen prints, Aotearoa apparel also does embroidered designs and DTG prints. The apparel range has grown to include bucket pōtae, sweat tops, sportswear, baseball caps, beanies, back packs, jackets and what has become the biggest selling items – Kids wear.
Aotearoa apparel’s mantra is now “Aotearoa apparel. Keeping the entire whānau covered!”
Every design you see here is original, crafted from my own experiences and perspective as an urban Māori. Each piece reflects the pride, strength, humor and creativity of our Iwi Māori, reimagined for today's world.
I'm committed to quality because our culture deserves nothing less. Every garment is carefully designed and printed on premium apparel that's made to last.
When you wear Aotearoa Apparel, you're not just wearing contemporary clothing—you're wearing a piece of our living culture, carrying our stories forward with pride.
This is more than fashion. It's about visibility, empowerment, and keeping our Maōri culture alive and thriving in the modern world.
Tētahi pakiwaitara - A story....
On sacred Māori land called Aotearoa or as Dutchlands would say, Nova Zeelandia, the British Crown strutted about like a horse, pretending to lead, but not really going nowhere.
In front of the horse, Parliament Sovereignty sits as a cart, motionless, carrying the illusion of authority.
Inside, the representatives ride along, dismissing what is happening, enforcing silence, or punishing those who speak the truth.
Māori Rangatira stand firm, not to dominate, but to demand the real partnership promised by the Treaty be honored.
They seek a living, functional system where sovereignty, governance, and respect for sacred land are aligned so that everyone can thrive collectively.
This is why Māori will not sell out, roll over, or play dead.
Their stance is a call for justice, accountability, and a future where authority truly works in service of all.
The point is clear, this is not just metaphor, it reflects the reality of asymmetrical power and governance in Aotearoa.
The Crown and Parliament may appear to hold authority, but without Māori engagement and recognition, the system is stagnant, performative, and unjust.
Māori are calling for their sovereignty to be respected, for promises to be honored, and for authority to function in a living, accountable way that benefits everyone.
Their vigilance and refusal to yield is about restoring a functional partnership, not overpowering anyone, a system where all can thrive.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kia Maia! Be Bold!
Kia Auaha! Be Creative!